[Reader Note: This post is a full essay, whose length is necessitated in part because it discusses incorrect assumptions made by certain liberals. Since those assumptions are accepted as fact in some circles, a full and well-researched rebuttal is required... [read more]

Ducking Debates

by Eric Earling, 03:00 PM, 18 Comments

10/1 UPDATE: Jerry Cornfield reports on the Larsen/Roulstone "debates" in Sunday's Everett Herald, setting an entirely different tone and description than what Roulstone's website lists. Given the lack of clarity, I'll withdraw my criticism of the contrast between Rick Larsen... [read more]

September 29, 2006

Time Out!

by Eric Earling, 05:33 PM, 22 Comments

Andrew at the NW Progressive Blog has a post up, complaining about shots Stefan and I have taken at the netroots as of late, in follow-up to this post from Goldy on the matter. Andrew, like Goldy before him, are... [read more]

September 28, 2006

Goldy Confesses...

by Eric Earling, 11:59 PM, 123 Comments

...to being a terrorist. Well, not really. He's being tongue-in-cheek in an attempt to condemn the legislation that passed the US Senate today regarding interrogation of terrorists, as well as the structure of military tribunals to hold terrorists to account.... [read more]

Game Time in the Reichert v. Burner Race

by Eric Earling, 11:32 PM, 37 Comments

Lots of polling shows a close race between Rep. Dave Reichert and Darcy Burner, but as we head into the apex of the campaign season the Burner backers would be wise not to get ahead of themselves. I said at... [read more]

Cantwell's Prescription Drug Ad Flop Grows More Peculiar

by Eric Earling, 09:45 PM, 11 Comments

David Postman adds more coverage after my post below on the topic of Maria Cantwell's transparently weak prescription drug ad. Mike McGavick's campaign blog led the charge on this issue, but Postman's coverage adds a response from Cantwell's spokesperson that... [read more]

Why Killing Lab Rats Is Good

by Matt Rosenberg, 08:35 PM, 17 Comments

Sometimes lab rats die rightly. See this Seattle P-I story of today, on UW research to fight new flu strains sharing similarities with that "Spanish" variety of 1918-19 which took 1,600 lives in Seattle, half a million in the U.S.,... [read more]

Get on the same page

by DonWard, 03:40 PM, 7 Comments

The subject of Vote by Mail and the efficacy of relying on Absentee Ballots during elections has been a subject that has been brought up once or twice here at Sound Politics... For those of you who have been deleting... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XVII): Your vote might not count

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:17 AM, 9 Comments

Jimron's latest press release: "Don't screen this phone call: King County Elections needs to reach you": King County Elections is making one last attempt to remind voters whose signatures on their absentee ballots either doe [sic] not match their voter... [read more]

Signs that your newspaper suffers from liberal bias (II)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:06 AM, 24 Comments

One sign is when a reporter defends a Democrat candidate from accurate attack ads. Yesterday's TriCity Herald "Attack ads on Rep. Grant not quite accurate" The ad also states Grant "voted with Christine Gregoire for the largest tax increase in... [read more]

New Election Year Should Mean New Ads

by Eric Earling, 07:29 AM, 7 Comments

Mike McGavick's campaign blog has a thorough takedown of Maria Cantwell's current ad on the topic of prescription drugs, and I mean thorough. As particularly astute readers may recall, Cantwell's "new" ad recycles footage and themes from her 2000 campaign... [read more]

Because that's where her supporters live

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:08 AM, 27 Comments

The Darcy Burner campaign sent out this hilarious e-mail: With just 43 days left until Election Day we need your help more than ever. That is just 43 days left to make sure that every voter in the 8th Congressional... [read more]

September 27, 2006

Driver In Alki DUI Deaths Extolled Drinking And Driving, Online

by Matt Rosenberg, 11:09 AM, 30 Comments

A drunk driver took another life in Seattle last weekend, in South Park, as the P-I reports today. With the cases of Susan West and Mary Jane Rivas fresh in mind, tolerance for intoxicated drivers is wearing awfully thin. And... [read more]

It's About Black Fathers, Not Better Hip-Hop

by Matt Rosenberg, 09:50 AM, 12 Comments

Dr. Daudi Abe teaches hip-hop theory and culture at Seattle Central Community College, and in a Seattle Times op-ed today calls out the "rims, jewelery and thongs" that have reduced hip-hop culture and its music from an early 90s instrument... [read more]

Why Is Seattle Such a Wuss About Strip Clubs?

by Eric Earling, 07:20 AM, 147 Comments

The long-running saga of the City of Seattle's attempts to regulate strip clubs in the city limits is the political version of a twelve-car pileup on the Interstate. It's painful to see, but irresistible to watch. The PI's Strange Bedfellows... [read more]

September 26, 2006

Update on the voters who were sent the wrong ballots

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:56 PM, 3 Comments

King County Elections confirmed that 186 mail voters in Burien precinct 34-1104 were mistakenly sent ballots for precinct 34-1082. By the time the problem was detected last week, 48 of these ballots had been returned. Elections Fedex'ed ballots to the... [read more]

"Nationally recognized best practices in mail ballot reconciliation"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:02 PM, 16 Comments

In yesterday's ballot counting update, King County Elections Interim Director Jim Buck ("Jimron") said: "This primary gives us another chance to improve upon King County's nationally recognized best practices in mail ballot reconciliation," (it's the same practices which allowed 390... [read more]

Help this woman move out of the governor's mansion

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:42 AM, 36 Comments

Mrs. Gregoire's Monday press conference is on TVW. The bit about the dinner she auctioned off starts at 26:55. Gregoire acknowledges that the governor's mansion "is the people's house". Nevertheless, she's defiantly blind to the distinction between having guests over... [read more]

U.S. Supreme Court will hear state's appeal in WEA case

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:39 AM, 26 Comments

AP: "Supreme Court jumps into dispute over labor union fees in state" The Supreme Court agreed today to decide whether public employee unions must get special permission before spending some workers' dues on political causes. Justices accepted an appeal from... [read more]

September 25, 2006

Did Senator Cantwell Try to Co-Opt Another Opponent?

by Eric Earling, 07:24 PM, 25 Comments

Maybe. Read this story about conversations between the Cantwell camp and Green Party candidate Aaron Dixon. The story includes this discussion: As Dixon tells it, 'Mark [Wilson] called and basically told me that a lot of people have a lot... [read more]

Mrs. Gregoire unapologetically backs down from ethics misstep

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:33 PM, 40 Comments

Mrs. Gregoire is defiantly backing down from her earlier attempt to sell meal tickets to the governor's mansion: [Mrs.] Gregoire on Monday heatedly defended her decision to auction off a dinner at the governor's mansion to raise thousands for congressional... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XVI): They mail you the wrong ballot

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:11 PM, 7 Comments

King County Elections mailed some voters the wrong ballots for the primary. A reader from Burien e-mailed that he (a poll voter) discovered that he was given a different ballot than the one mailed to his wife. The wife, who... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XV): Post Office Screw-ups

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:59 PM, 4 Comments

Thanks to TrueSoldier for his Public Blog post on this article from The OympianAll-mail ballots are supposed to increase participation, but because of a glitch about two dozen Thurston County residents didn't get their primary election votes counted as their... [read more]

Rob McKenna at the Downtown Seattle Republican Club

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:17 PM, 8 Comments

There's still room to attend. This should be a great program. Washington State Attorney General Rob McKenna will be the guest speaker at this coming Monday's dinner meeting of the Downtown Seattle Republican Club. He'll discuss the state's efforts to... [read more]

Sad but true. Darcy Burner only voted about half the time; failed to vote for schools, parks, libraries

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:07 PM, 46 Comments

Yesterday's Seattle Times reported on attack ads in the 8th District Congressional race, focusing on Darcy Burner's false accusation that Dave Reichert voted to "cut funding for veterans' health care." (he voted to increase funding). More on this later. The... [read more]

Attack Ads On Their Way

by Eric Earling, 07:44 AM, 17 Comments

We in the Seattle-media market are no doubt just days away from the first attack ads, largely from 3rd parties supporting both sides, beginning to fill the airwaves. Toward the end of this July post, I postulated on some of... [read more]

That Sound You Heard Yesterday

by Eric Earling, 07:23 AM, 7 Comments

Well, besides the roar from Qwest Field, the other noise you may have heard yesterday percolating in the air was the sound of some liberal heads exploding while reading the Seattle Times editorial board's opposition to I-937, the renewable energy... [read more]

September 24, 2006

Moderates Win Democratic Elections

by Eric Earling, 01:12 PM, 5 Comments

Stefan details below how local Democratic party organizations seem to have bet on the wrong horses in a couple recent elections, especially the primary challenge to Sen. Tim Sheldon. A similar trend occurred in Snohomish County, where Steve Hobbs beat... [read more]

Senate Race Tightens Back Up

by Eric Earling, 12:34 PM, 26 Comments

The first post-primary poll is out from Rasmussen Reports, it's members only for now, but already posted at RealClearPolitics. It shows the race back to a 48% - 42% advantage for Cantwell, based on a 9/20 poll of 500 likely... [read more]

Signs that your newspaper suffers from liberal bias (I)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:56 AM, 41 Comments

One sign of liberal media bias is when articles routinely brand conservative policy institutes as "conservative" or "Republican" while omitting the partisan and philosophical leanings of liberal advocacy groups. For example, the Washington Policy Center, which calls itself a "non-partisan... [read more]

September 23, 2006

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XIV): Dead People Voting?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:58 PM, 16 Comments

King County Elections posts the voter id's of returned (not necessarily accepted) absentee ballots . The statewide database indicates that several of these voters had been cancelled as deceased. It's possible the sender might have written deceased on the return... [read more]

Washington Democrat Party out of touch with its voters

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:32 PM, 27 Comments

Democrat Party organizations failed to win over the voters in the most hotly contested Democrat primaries last Tuesday. In the 6-way 43rd Legislative District House race, Dick Kelley, who was endorsed by the King County Democrats and was the leading... [read more]

Transportation Round-up

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:02 AM, 15 Comments

* The Seattle City Council yesterday voted 7-1 to replace the Viaduct with a tunnel which is too expensive to actually get built. In the same session, the Council determined that the voters are too rational to be given a... [read more]

September 22, 2006

King County Council special meeting

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:03 PM, 15 Comments

The King County Council has called a special meeting for this afternoon. Why? Theclerk's office told me that in case the AFIS measure doesn't pass, they want to be prepared with a measure for the November ballot. AFIS is ahead... [read more]

Urban Visionary Dysphoria

by Matt Rosenberg, 11:15 AM, 6 Comments

Fulfilling a tantalizing promise made at least 13 months ago, former city council candidate, monorail kool-aid quaffer and all-around utopian visionary Grant Cogswell will leave Seattle, the P-I reports today. For the aspiring fiction writer who once opined, "True Seattle-ites...try... [read more]

Transit Later, Transit Tax Forever

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:18 AM, 9 Comments

The Washington Policy Center has published a detailed policy brief on King County's "Transit Now" proposal, on the November ballot. If passed, the measure would impose a permanent 0.1% hike in the sales tax to subsidize additional bus service. The... [read more]

The Weakest Issue of a Failing Institution

by Eric Earling, 07:45 AM, 18 Comments

One can always find ways to disagree with individual politicians and elected officials. As humans, it's easy to find some area of disagreement with even persons with whom you would find close ideological synergy, let alone with those whose beliefs... [read more]

September 21, 2006

"So I tried it. I thought I was gonna die"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:37 PM, 21 Comments

My fellow vote-by-mail critics and I would like to thank whichever marketing genius at King County Elections it was who thought to advertise vote-by-mail using the Alka-Seltzer slogan. Eric from Shoreline tried vote-by-mail. He didn't like it. On September... [read more]

"That's crap"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:52 PM, 26 Comments

As noted below, Ron Sims and Interim Elections Director Jim Buck ("Jimron") have been telling outrageous tall tales to cover up the IT problems that are slowing down this week's tabulation. I should have realized earlier that Tuesday night's story... [read more]

But he'll try to dig it anyway

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:22 AM, 24 Comments

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, March 6, 2006: "Nickels supports public vote on viaduct" Nickels, who is pushing hard for a tunnel, said he welcomes a public vote. "We'll go out in November and ask what the citizens think. They'll say... [read more]

King Cantcounty still struggling to tabulate its mail ballots, still lying about the problem

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:15 AM, 27 Comments

King Cantcounty yesterday tabulated only another 52,724 mail ballots, after a mere 45,521 on Tuesday, compared with 90,709 on primary day alone in 2005. Why is this year's count going so slowly? On Tuesday Ron Sims blamed voters who failed... [read more]

Kudos To Dave Ross And Dori Monson

by Jim Miller, 07:26 AM, 31 Comments

Yesterday the two KIRO talk show hosts cooperated to shed more light on Congressman McDermott's relationship with the Islamic charity that was just raided by the FBI. When I caught part of Monson's show yesterday, I learned that McDermott, though... [read more]

September 20, 2006

How to Teach and How to Spend

by Eric Earling, 11:10 PM, 6 Comments

Readers won't find me blogging much on education since it is the subject of my day job, but today's Seattle Times does have a couple fascinating education stories worth a read: 1) An editorial column from Bruce Ramsey raising pointed... [read more]

Early Election Thoughts, Part II: The Netroots Bubble Begins to Burst

by Eric Earling, 10:36 PM, 7 Comments

Faithful readers of Sound Politics are well aware of the skepticism with which this site's contributors have greeted the rise of the netroots. Yes, they are good at raising money for candidates from outside their district, but that doesn't mean... [read more]

Darcy Burner Wins! (but only the affection of the Seattle nutroots)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:08 PM, 22 Comments

The innumerate Seattle nutroots are declaring victory for Darcy Burner today. Why? Because partial results show that (1) the blank slate Democrat received 2% more votes in King County in her primary "contest" than Congressman Dave Reichert received; and (2)... [read more]

Nailbiter in 43rd

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:59 AM, 12 Comments

In the state House 43rd District Democratic primary, Jamie Pedersen is currently leading Jim Street by 35 votes, or 0.35%. At the rate which King Cantcounty is tabulating ballots this election, it may be several more years before they complete... [read more]

Chief, yes, Justice, not so much

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:50 AM, 24 Comments

Chief Justice Gerry Alexander holds a commanding lead over challenger John Groen. As the Seattle Times put it the other day: The court's most important job is to limit the overreaching of the executive and legislative branches of government, particularly... [read more]

Yesterday, talk show host Dori Monson and Seattle Times reporter David Postman both tried answer some of the questions I raised in this post: What does Seattle Congressman Jim McDermott think about the FBI raid on the Islamic charity (or,... [read more]

Off to the Races

by Eric Earling, 07:04 AM, 6 Comments

In case there was any confusion, the last 24 hours have shown us the US Senate race between Maria Cantwell and Mike McGavick is going to be heated. For starters, yesterday McGavick's campaign blog responded to a snarky attack from... [read more]

Early Election Thoughts, Part I

by Eric Earling, 06:38 AM, 20 Comments

Based on preliminary results, turnout appears to have unfolded as predicted: heavy on Democratic ballots. Statewide returns as of this typing show 49.4% of voters selected Democratic ballots, 37.6% favored Republicans, and 13% failed or refused to pick. As I... [read more]

September 19, 2006

Tim Sheldon trounces Lucas

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:40 PM, 9 Comments

Moderate Democrat Sen. Tim Sheldon has coasted to victory over primary challenger Kyle Taylor Lucas. Boy do those "Progressive Majority" billionaires look like a bunch of dumbasses. Anybody care to wager how soon Lucas will move back home to Tumwater?... [read more]

Deanron2 identified!

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:26 PM, 14 Comments

This evening's Seattle Times identifies the man who would have been Deanron2: King County Executive Ron Sims offered the post to John Arntz, elections director in San Francisco, but he turned it down last week. I guess we would have... [read more]

Signs of meltdown, spin control at King County Elections

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:09 PM, 10 Comments

As of this writing, 10:09pm Tuesday, King County has tabulated only about 1/2 of the mail ballots it counted on last year's primary election day. This suggests there might be a problem 155,466 mail ballots have been received as of... [read more]

Election Results

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:10 PM, 42 Comments

The polls have just closed and the counties can now start reporting results. KING-5 already has some numbers -- State Races (Supreme Court, Legislature). The Secretary of State is now also posting results. SoS pages for some of the races... [read more]

Few Eastsiders can be bothered to turn out for Darcy Burner

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:27 PM, 12 Comments

This hilarious entry was posted on the Eastside DFA blog: "Sitting. And waiting." (PDF here in case they modify the post) we had a very good turnout at our anti-Reichert demonstration in downtown Bellevue late Friday afternoon. I was glad... [read more]

Speaking of wealthy out-of-town Democrats trying to buy state elections

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:07 PM, 4 Comments

The "Progressive Majority", a cabal of left-wing billionaires from other states, is throwing a primary party tonight here in Seattle to celebrate what it calls the "Progressive Majority-led effort to dump conservative Tim Sheldon in the 35th District". I have... [read more]

Election Predictions?

by Jim Miller, 02:54 PM, 22 Comments

Here's an open thread for anyone bold enough to make a prediction, any prediction, on today's election. (In the absence of polling data and historical party votes for the judicial races, I have just one prediction: I expect John Groen... [read more]

Pope Benedict Hits His Mark

by Matt Rosenberg, 02:10 PM, 9 Comments

Seattle Times letter writers today - for the most part - aren't buying the ginned-up outrage over Pope Benedict's most salient remarks on violence and Islamic extremism. Moreover, the whole thing has generated a blowback to the blowback. I've pulled... [read more]

Wealthy out-of-town Democrats trying to buy state Congressional seats

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:49 PM, 5 Comments

In both the 8th and 5th Congressional Districts, the media is applauding the Democrat challengers and their purported fundraising prowess over Republican incumbents Dave Reichert and Cathy McMorris (Seattle Times: "For the third straight filing period, political newcomer Darcy Burner... [read more]

As Usual

by Jim Miller, 01:20 PM, 7 Comments

The primary election ballot provided by King County was poorly designed and the little wobbly voting stations inadequate. The stations are so small that they provide little privacy, and they wiggle so badly that I have trouble filling in the... [read more]

Tunnel of Funny Money

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:42 AM, 30 Comments

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels, August 31: we have the financial means and the technical know-how to build a cut-and-cover tunnel along our waterfront. This assumed, among other things, that the Port of Seattle would kick in $200 million. But today... [read more]

September 18, 2006

Joni Balter: Washington's laziest editorial writer?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:01 PM, 33 Comments

Joni Balter on KUOW Weekday this morning as an alleged "expert" on the Supreme Court races. (audio clip @ 5:58) Hands down, the group that's spending and spending this year is the Building Industry Association of Washington. And you know,... [read more]

Congressman McDermott Has Interesting Associates

by Jim Miller, 05:05 PM, 78 Comments

The FBI just raided Life for Relief and Development, an Islamic charity in the Detroit area. (They have a pleasant name, I must say.) Debbie Schlussel is pleased because she believes they have strong links to a variety of... [read more]

How Republicans Can Win: Keep Making Babies

by Matt Rosenberg, 10:17 AM, 43 Comments

U.S. population will reach 300 million next month, up 50 percent in 40 years, and at current rates will double by 2100. Growing Latino population in the U.S. may not play to Democrats' advantage, while busy GOP breeders and population... [read more]

Deanron2 doesn't exist. Time for an elected Auditor

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:24 AM, 12 Comments

The P-I reports that there is no Deanron2 Ron Sims ... thought he had a first-rate candidate lined up to recommend to the County Council for confirmation, but the deal fell through, a Sims spokeswoman said last week. I'm skeptical... [read more]

September 17, 2006

Primary Election Prediction

by Eric Earling, 10:54 PM, 20 Comments

I'm not one to make direct predictions about election outcomes, but I do have one for Tuesday's primary that might surprise some people: I think the number of Democratic ballots will outnumber Republican ballots by a significant margin. Why? Past... [read more]

Democrats Who Republicans Can Work With

by Eric Earling, 10:16 PM, 22 Comments

It's not often in Western Washington conservatives find elected Democrats worth working with to pass good public policy. King County Councilman Bob Ferguson has passed that test, as has state Senator Tim Sheldon, even if they obviously don't agree with... [read more]

The Poetess of Green Lake

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:05 PM, 18 Comments

If you've walked around Green Lake on recent Sunday, you've probably seen the Poetess sitting in her booth. (just south of the Bathhouse Theatre on the Aurora side of the path). Her name is A. K. Allin and she... [read more]

Seattle Times endorses Stephen Johnson, Gerry AlexanderJohn Groen

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:48 AM, 15 Comments

Today's Seattle Times editorial page recaps its endorsements and gets to the essence of the race between Supreme Court Chief Justice Gerry Alexander and John Groen:The court's most important job is to limit the overreaching of the executive and legislative... [read more]

September 16, 2006

Join me for dinner at the Governor's Mansion?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:31 PM, 58 Comments

The story of Mrs. Gregoire auctioning off the Governor's Mansion to the highest bidding donor to the Darcy Burner campaign is in today's Seattle Times. Andrew Villeneuve1, the teenager who calls himself "Northwest Progressive Institute" and scored an own goal... [read more]

"I don't think the voters are that concerned about a parking lot down in downtown Seattle"

David Postman does a thorough examination of a recent ad to hit the airwaves trying to land some punches on Dave Reichert. Short story, Postman finds: "The ad is misleading at best in its criticism of Reichert's role with homeland... [read more]

September 15, 2006

Liberals Still Miffed About Religion

by Eric Earling, 11:26 PM, 21 Comments

Awhile back I pointed out certain liberals haven't been quick on the uptake in understanding religion in American life. Well, some things haven't changed. The "Liberal Girl Next Door" is a decent writer, but her thoughts on why people attend... [read more]

When Karl Rove Attacks

by Eric Earling, 10:25 PM, 24 Comments

Periodically reading liberal blogs can be intriguing, but every once in a while fortune truly shines on such sport. In that spirit, I give you this glorious meme about Karl Rove's recent visit to our lovely state. Keep in mind,... [read more]

Elections office in crisis; Deanron2 fails to materialize

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:36 PM, 18 Comments

When King County Councilman Bob Ferguson reneged on his pledge to suppport a November vote for an elected auditor, his stated reason was that Ron Sims was on the verge of hiring someone permanent to run the elections office. We... [read more]

Sewer of Corruption (XX)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:06 PM, 38 Comments

The "Northwest Progressive Institute" blog reports on Mrs. Gregoire's talk at last night's fundraiser for Darcy Burner The Governor [sic] ended her remarks by announcing a surprise, instant auction to raise money for Darcy Burner. She offered a dinner for... [read more]

Seattle's Homeless Drug Addicts Help Themselves

by Matt Rosenberg, 11:33 AM, 33 Comments

.....to scads of stolen merchandise. The Seattle Times today reports on a huge stolen merchandise ring involving Seattle homeless drug addicts and transients ripping off downtown and neighborhood merchants. It was masterminded by a Pike Street pawnshop owner who lives... [read more]

Out-of-state billionaires trying to buy WA state Senate seat

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:22 AM, 12 Comments

As noted in The Olympian, The Daily World and on Postman's blog, Washington, DC-based Progressive Majority has dumped $100,000 into the Kyle Taylor Lucas primary campaign to unseat moderate Democrat Sen. Tim Sheldon. The money was funneled through an Astroturf... [read more]

Blue-City Accountability

by Matt Rosenberg, 09:56 AM, 8 Comments

Not all floor supervisors at halfway houses for ex-cons and addicts actually "see skin" when they conduct required nightly checks to make sure residents are indoors. So sometimes things happpen. Say, a guy who's checked off as "in" at night... [read more]

September 14, 2006

For once, a Democrat who "believes it's important not to lie, cheat or be wasteful"!

by Stefan Sharkansky, 06:30 PM, 30 Comments

Caitlin Ross, 22-year-old daughter of KIRO talker and former Congressional candidate Dave Ross, is a Democrat candidate for the state House in the 9th District. It's refreshing to hear a Democrat take a clear stance that she believes it's important... [read more]

Gerry Alexander: Awful Chief Justice, dirty campaigner

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:22 PM, 40 Comments

The main reason to vote for John Groen against incumbent Gerry Alexander for the State Supreme Court is Alexander's long record of appalling decisions. Groen will do a better job of protecting our constitutional rights to limited, open and accountable... [read more]

Sam Reed on Public Radio

by Jonathan Bechtle, 12:30 PM, 10 Comments

Secretary Reed will be on "The Conversation" with Ross Reynolds today at 1:00 to discuss the astounding primary ballot error rate. While I'm sure Reed will focus on reminding voters how to read instructions, he'll likely miss a fundamental cause... [read more]

Some economists have long argued certain measures of inflation are a "lagging indicator," meaning underlying trends don't actually reveal themselves until after indicators of conventional wisdom otherwise would suggest. With all due respect to members of the press corps reading... [read more]

September 13, 2006

A Bit of Negative Press on Maria & Ron

by Eric Earling, 11:02 PM, 5 Comments

Respectfully Republican covers a Vancouver Columbian editorial chiding Maria Cantwell's dealings with Ron Dotzauer. Based on current events, I don't think this issue will have a huge impact on the campaign unless an independent group does an effective ad on... [read more]

A Good Ad for McGavick

by Eric Earling, 09:30 PM, 8 Comments

Mike McGavick has a relatively new radio ad (the 4th option under "ads" here) up with is worth a listen. The ad hits Congress, and members of both parties, for lack of spending restraint in Washington, DC. It also opposes... [read more]

"Eat The State" Shows True Colors

by Matt Rosenberg, 05:39 PM, 3 Comments

There's genteel hatred of the U.S., as revealed today in a post by Stefan, via the blog, Seattlest. Then there's the raw unvarnished variety. Putting together a longer post today over at Rosenblog in my ongoing "News Of The Skewed"... [read more]

Cause for optimism?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:57 PM, 7 Comments

Today's P-I reports on Seattle Schools Superintendent Raj Manhas' "State of the District" address. Manhas is "more optimistic now than I have ever been about the academic future of our children" and noted that "Seattle students performed better than the... [read more]

Justice for Who?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 01:58 PM, 11 Comments

When Justice Bobbe Bridge was arrested for a hit and run in 2003 while driving with a blood alcohol level of 0.22%, Chief Justice Gerry Alexander said I told her we were fully supportive of her Justice, maybe, but for... [read more]

Diversity of opinion, Seattle-style

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:43 PM, 17 Comments

Seth at Seattlest credits Seattle's Town Hall for its diversity of opinion. And Town Hall is even more diverse than Seth gives it credit for. Also on the schedule are Seymour Hersh and Rick Steves!... [read more]

The tragedy of the Alexander Court: A dozen years of appalling, liberty-destroying rulings

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:24 PM, 19 Comments

Why am I voting for John Groen and Sen. Stephen Johnson for State Supreme Court? Because I believe they will do a much better job than the incumbents of protecting the people's constitutional rights to fair, open and accountable government.... [read more]

"Real Democrat"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 08:07 AM, 16 Comments

State Democrat Party Chairman "Cuba" Dwight Pelz has been spamming the 35th Legislative District with this robocall message [WAV file] I'm asking for your help to elect a real Democrat to the state Senate ... Kyle Taylor Lucas is a... [read more]

Senate Undorsements

by DonWard, 03:18 AM, 8 Comments

Stefan and Eric give their choices for the State Supreme Court below. I'll join the "me too" chorus in terms of their judicial recommendations. There are two contested primary races for U.S. Senate next week. The front runners for the... [read more]

September 12, 2006

Judicial Endorsements

by Eric Earling, 10:55 PM, 14 Comments

For what it's worth, I'm in the same boat as Stefan on Supreme Court endorsements. Jim Miller has some interesting thoughts, but my own look at the candidates hasn't found Jeanette Burrage to be qualified for the State Supreme Court,... [read more]

Snohomish County Pride

by Eric Earling, 09:42 PM, 10 Comments

Stefan has covered the intriguing news that perhaps 20% of Snohomish County voters may not be the sharpest tacks in the box. Putting aside debates about the required partisan rather than open-ballot primary, and the debate about all mail voting,... [read more]

My endorsements for Supreme Court: John Groen, Stephen Johnson

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:52 PM, 16 Comments

I mostly concur with Jim below to throw the bums on the Supreme Court out. The two worst incumbents are Gerry Alexander and Susan Owens. I expect challengers John Groen and Senator Stephen Johnson to do a vastly better job... [read more]

Ron Sims has no sense of budget priorities

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:36 PM, 21 Comments

"Sims says county can't afford $5 million in Sheriff's Office reforms" The cost of implementing a package of sweeping reforms proposed for the King County Sheriff's Office -- including hiring new sergeants, providing better training for all ranks and creating... [read more]

Throw The Bums Out!

by Jim Miller, 03:16 PM, 36 Comments

That's the spirit in which I will approach next Tuesday's election for the three seats on the Washington State Supreme Court. Not because I think that any of the incumbents are bums — I have no reason to believe that... [read more]

Implausible numbers in today's Seattle Times

by Stefan Sharkansky, 03:05 PM, 22 Comments

Today's Seattle Times has this article by Lornet Turnbull about children of gay and lesbian parents in public schools: "Finding schools that strive to be inclusive". Turnbull's advocacy tone is typical of her reportage. More astonishing here are the credulity-stretching... [read more]

Support our mercenaries

by DonWard, 02:42 PM, 4 Comments

The Stranger's associate editor Charles Mudede commented on the Slog blog about the U.S. Army's "turnaround in recruiting" on September 9. He seems a bit put out that the myth that the Army is having troubles attracting new recruits and... [read more]

More on the very strange case of Kyle Taylor Lucas

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:16 AM, 13 Comments

The more I look, the more strange things I keep finding about Kyle Taylor Lucas, who is posing a primary challenge to moderate Democrat State Senator Tim Sheldon in the 35th District. Oddity #1) When Lucas had a speeding ticket... [read more]

This Is The P-I On Drugs

by Matt Rosenberg, 10:40 AM, 2 Comments

Hempfest screed: Seattle Post-Intelligencer editorial, today: "..America has tumbled into a swamp of hubris, prisoner abuse, secret courts, secret prisons, 'renditions,' warrantless wiretaps and flouting of international law...The number of American soldiers killed in Bush's military adventure in Iraq approaches... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XIII): Thousands of disenfranchised voters

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:04 AM, 15 Comments

Today's Everett Herald: "Voter error may kill 1 in 5 ballots" Thousands of primary ballots will not be counted in partisan races because Snohomish County voters failed to follow directions ... the voters didn't pick their party affiliation - a... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show(XII): Ballots keep getting forwarded to former residents who are no longer eligible to vote

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:26 PM, 25 Comments

Portland resident Amy Jenniges of The Stranger, shares this mail ballot horror storydespite moving out of King County last November, and registering to vote in Multnomah County this past spring ... I got my King County ballot in the mail... [read more]

The Path to 9/11

by DonWard, 03:22 PM, 83 Comments

It looks like movie night at Sound Politics. Eric Earling, below, recommends one of the best flicks that came out this summer, "United 93". Go ahead and watch "World Trade Center" when it comes out on DVD. Tonight, my recommendation... [read more]

"Democrats delay citizen input on auditor"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:47 PM, 7 Comments

King County Councilman Reagan Dunn wrote the following op-ed for the King County Journal last week (print only), affirming his support for an elected county elections auditor. The headline, "Politics delay citizen input on auditor", is diplomatic. It wasn't "politics"... [read more]

Who to vote for in the 43rd District House Democrat Primary?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:25 PM, 4 Comments

I interviewed all the candidates in the 43rd Legislative District House Democratic Primary last week and posted my write-up late Friday afternoon. This is worth another plug before next Tuesday's primary. If you live in the 43rd District, and are... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show (XI): Postage issues

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:00 AM, 15 Comments

Reader Greg e-mails:Just sent in my forced mail-in ballot for Snohomish County Primary. Because I had to place a stamp on it I took it to the Post Office where I had to pay $0.60 cents for postage - not... [read more]

It's in the P-I

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:52 AM, 11 Comments

Joel Connelly, the P-I's contumelious liberal columnist, is troubled by Astroturf PACs which "hide the identities of people" paying for political campaigns. But Connelly's selective outrage, (at conservative groups) ignores the fact that Democrats play this game too. For example,... [read more]

Seattle Could Take Lessons From New York, On Crime

by Matt Rosenberg, 10:50 AM, 6 Comments

Over the weekend, Seattle P-I columnist Robert Jamieson bemoaned recent crimes and disturbances in Seattle's Lower Queen Anne neighborhood. The Queen Anne News had earlier reported on violence at the iconic Dick's Drive-In in LQA. Things have been getting out... [read more]

United 93

by Eric Earling, 07:20 AM, 24 Comments

On this day of remembrance, I would be remiss not to note my hearty recommendation of the movie United 93. I had the fortune to watch it over the weekend, powerful cinema indeed. The film was actually recommended to me... [read more]

September 10, 2006

Guess What? Big Companies Pay Good Executives A Lot, And in Stock.

by Eric Earling, 10:05 PM, 40 Comments

Interesting news over the weekend on the details of the pay package given to outgoing Boeing executive Alan Mullaly to woo him to the CEO job at the foundering Ford Motor Co. Here are the stats:... [read more]

State of McGavick v. Cantwell

by Eric Earling, 09:20 PM, 12 Comments

David Ammons' weekly column offers some interesting insight into our state's US Senate race. I actually agree with most of it. Fairly or not, McGavick has stumbled a bit since the DUI revelation in his broader mea culpa has not... [read more]

Drink The Good Wine Now

by Matt Rosenberg, 04:35 PM, 10 Comments

For Keith Thompson, a former Democratic U.S. Senate aide, Lotusland had begun looking mighty dicey well before al-Qaeda toppled the Twin Towers. But for others, 9/11 was a turning point. Seattle Times readers today offer some thoughts on how 9/11... [read more]

Sewer of Corruption (XIX)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:22 PM, 6 Comments

The Democrats are getting downright dirty and dishonest in this year's state Senate races. The SDCC has smeared Toby Nixon with yet another bogus "ethics complaint", based on implausible and probably fabricated "evidence". And the SEIU has spent $100,000 of... [read more]

It's in the P-I (II)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:06 AM, 8 Comments

The Shi'ittle Post-Intelligencer can never publish enough anti-Israel screeds, no matter how lurid or one-sided. Today's editorial page has a guest op-ed about the environmental damage incurred in the Hizbullah war "After the bombs, environmental calamity" -- The piece is... [read more]

It's in the P-I (I)

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:41 AM, 21 Comments

Mark al-Trahant, editorial page editor of the Shi'itle Post-Intelligencer finds this White House statement on Iran to be disconcerting : "This summer's crisis in Lebanon has made it clearer than ever that the world faces a grave threat from the... [read more]

September 09, 2006

Life imitates Repo Man

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:36 PM, 2 Comments

Repo Man: there's this, like, lattice o' coincidence that lays on top o' everything. Give you an example; show you what I mean: suppose you're thinkin' about a plate o' shrimp. Suddenly someone'll say, like, plate, or shrimp, or plate... [read more]

The Maria and Ron Story Continues

by Eric Earling, 10:12 AM, 15 Comments

The Seattle Times follows up today with more details in the ongoing coverage of the relationship between Maria Cantwell and Ron Dotzauer. Today's story indicates the mystery loan that Dotzauer can't seem to remember, and which clouds the relationship between... [read more]

Fodder for Poll Geeks

by Eric Earling, 09:55 AM, 9 Comments

For those who enjoy digging into the weeds of polls and their methodologies, the PI's Strange Bedfellows blog provides some insight into the recent poll on the Reichert v. Burner Congressional race, a poll about which the blog was already... [read more]

September 08, 2006

Federal judge rules: evidence in voter registration case was bogus

by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:44 PM, 10 Comments

The judge who blocked Washington State from validating a voter's identification as condition for accepting a voter registration, has now ruled that the evidence upon which he based his earlier ruling was bogus: The pro-vote-fraud plaintiffs failed to respond to... [read more]

Mail Ballot Horror Show: A waste of paper

by Stefan Sharkansky, 05:29 PM, 4 Comments

This tale of wasted paper comes from the state best known for turning its old growth forests into mail ballots: The envelope for Salem's special annexation ballot contains an error that could invalidate the election, city officials said Wednesday. More... [read more]

The Lesser of 6 Evils: Who should a moderate or conservative vote for in the 43rd Democrat Primary?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 04:47 PM, 12 Comments

Here in the ultra-liberal 43rd Legislative District, 6 candidates are vying in the Democrat Primary for an open State House seat. The winner of the Primary faces only a token Republican opponent in November, and is certain to be our... [read more]

It's In The P-I, And It's Wrong

by Matt Rosenberg, 02:07 PM, 15 Comments

A new round of annual, federally-mandated home lending data was released today by the Federal Reserve, and an Associated Press story which runs in the Seattle Post-Intelligencer and other papers nationwide largely reduces it to a matter of race. Quite... [read more]

Karl Rove, Tony Snow, CIA Pull Strings Of Seattle 9/11 Debunkers

by Matt Rosenberg, 10:46 AM, 9 Comments

The problem with conspiracy theorists is that they are always part of a larger conspiracy, as anyone not under the spell of the global media-oil-arms combine clearly understands. I deduced Kevin Barrett's double life as GOP political operative more than... [read more]

More on Maria and Ron

by Eric Earling, 08:00 AM, 22 Comments

David Postman has the most concise coverage regarding the news today of the ongoing web between Maria Cantwell and Ron Dotzauer, including links to today's AP story and the original story in the Seattle Times. My thoughts on that first... [read more]

September 07, 2006

Cantwell's Campaign Should Pay Its Debts

by Eric Earling, 09:44 PM, 27 Comments

Maria Cantwell and Mike McGavick raised money nearly dollar for dollar for the reporting period ending August 30th. Yet the cash-on-hand figures, over $5 million for Cantwell v. $2.8 million for McGavick, remind us that Cantwell's campaign still owes her... [read more]

I-917 fails to qualify

by DonWard, 03:38 PM, 22 Comments

Initiative kingpin Tim Eyman appears to have conceded defeat in his efforts to get I-917 on the November ballot. In an emailed press release, Eyman claims that the Secretary of State's office will be reporting that the Save Our Tabs... [read more]

Two independent peer reviews commissioned by Governor Christine Gregoire's office have sharply criticized the work completed by the consultant for Washington Learns. Both reviewers concluded that the $800,000 study is based on insufficient and poor quality evidence, that its recommendations... [read more]

September 06, 2006

Rock you like a hurricane

by DonWard, 09:45 PM, 17 Comments

For disaster enthusiasts, this year's hurricane season has been a bigger dud than the Poseidon remake. Hurricanes Ernesto and John have been pale imitators compared to Hurricanes Katrina and Rita which caused so much damage to the Gulf Coast in... [read more]

Actually, We Are Getting Smarter, Mr. Horsey

by Jim Miller, 02:27 PM, 15 Comments

Last Saturday, David Horsey published the answers to his "Burning Question" of the week before: "Are Americans Getting Dumber?" Almost all of those who replied thought that we were. This way of deciding the question reminds me of the (possibly... [read more]

Schram it!

by DonWard, 02:03 PM, 53 Comments

This morning was the first time I've tuned in to "The Commentators" at 570 KVI. The new show is hosted by John Carlson - 13-year talk show veteran and runner-up in the 2000 Washington state gubernatorial race - and Ken... [read more]

"Public intoxication on the House floor"

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:56 AM, 23 Comments

The mainstream media's fixation on McGavick's 13-year-old (and apparently unrepeated) DUI seems disproportionate to its relevance to the Senate race. I'd rather the media stick to issues that make a difference in voters' lives, such as energy policy (i.e. Do... [read more]

Endorsements: NO on King County Proposition No. 1

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:01 AM, 23 Comments

This is the first of a few endorsements I will make for the September 19th Primary. This represents only my opinion, not necessarily the opinions of any of the other Sound Politics editors and writers. I recommend a NO on... [read more]

McGavick = Human, Liberal Bloggers = Angry

by Eric Earling, 06:55 AM, 61 Comments

To believe some liberal blogs, Mike McGavick is a very evil creature in the wake of this whole tale surrounding his self-confessed DUI. Horse's Ass rapidly assumes him to be a "blackout drunk" and essentially declares him a menace to... [read more]

September 05, 2006

In which I join the MSM

by Andy MacDonald, 09:56 PM, 6 Comments

In the interest of full disclosure, I'd like to let everyone know I've joined the Seattle Times Company as the Director of Online Technology. It's a position in the joint operating agency and has no editorial responsibility or authority. I'll... [read more]

Tom Maguire Wants Our Help

by Jim Miller, 05:29 PM, 23 Comments

The blogger who knows more about the Plame "scandal" than anyone else is making a little list of those who were fools enough to believe former ambassador Joseph Wilson. And he wants our help. That sort of project surely appeals... [read more]

Spend more on education?

by Marsha Michaelis, 03:57 PM, 30 Comments

It's easy to have an opinion. It takes a little more work to have an informed opinion. A recent survey of 400 registered voters in Washington shows that almost everyone has opinions about whether or not the state is spending... [read more]

Now here's a candidate who's committed to his constituents

by Stefan Sharkansky, 10:44 AM, 5 Comments

Someone sent me this hilarious e-mail exchange between 41st District Democrat House candidate Dale Murphy, and the Chairman of the 5th District Democrats. It appears that Murphy initially planned to run against Republican incumbent Glenn Anderson in the 5th, but... [read more]

Thoughts on Maria & Ron

by Eric Earling, 07:18 AM, 16 Comments

Yesterday's story in the Seattle Times about the relationship between Maria Cantwell and Ron Dotzauer is interesting, but doesn't cover a ton of new ground. Those familiar with the local political scene are familiar with their long-standing relationship, though the... [read more]

September 04, 2006

Cantwell's Campaign Co-Chair Has Some Interesting Friends

by Eric Earling, 10:27 PM, 28 Comments

Maria Cantwell's much publicized lurch to the left in hiring Mark Wilson and bringing on Dal LaMagna on as campaign co-chair was a telling moment in the campaign. The Wilson hiring garnered more attention for the obvious reason that Cantwell... [read more]

Sustain This!

by Andy MacDonald, 10:03 AM, 41 Comments

For several months now, I've been trying to come up with a way to express my disgust with the "sustainability" movement, those folks who believe that humans are a cancer on the earth and we would all be happier if... [read more]

September 03, 2006

Speaking of the death of the mainstream media...

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:55 PM, 24 Comments

In this week's column, Seattle Times heir apparent Ryan Blethen laments the fact that political parties engage in, uh, politics: "Thirsting for much more than political pandering" The parties are already positioning candidates who have the best chance to win... [read more]

David Horsey Thinks Bush Supporters Are Dumb Hicks

by Eric Earling, 02:58 PM, 59 Comments

...or something like that. Today's PI editorial cartoon is classic fare from Mr. Horsey, taking a dim view of the wit and wisdom of pro-Bush Americans. Granted, Horsey is an excellent editorial cartoonist in an aesthetic sense, and periodically produces... [read more]

September 02, 2006

Tunnel of Funny Money

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:53 PM, 40 Comments

Seattle Mayor Greg Nickels wants you to believe that the Viaduct Tunnel is a financially viable project A panel of engineering and transportation experts from around the country has concluded what we've been saying for some time - we have... [read more]

New Revelations In DUI Case Could Dog McGavick

by Matt Rosenberg, 09:57 AM, 65 Comments

Both the Seattle P-I and The Seattle Times today publish stories based on the actual police report of Mike McGavick's 1993 DUI case in Montogomery County, Maryland. And the Republican challenger to U.S. Maria Cantwell is getting pounded for allegedly... [read more]

More on the strange case of Kyle Taylor Lucas

by Stefan Sharkansky, 09:56 AM, 10 Comments

KING-5 reports on Kyle Taylor Lucas, the Democrat Party establishment's primary challenger to maverick Sen. Tim Sheldon. As I noted on Thursday, Lucas started campaigning for the Senate only 11 days after she claimed that she "moved" into the 35th... [read more]

September 01, 2006

Vast Oddball Conspiracy Emanating From Issaquah

by Matt Rosenberg, 10:23 PM, 66 Comments

I suppose many readers recall that very, very uncomfortable episode of Seinfeld where the great comedian Jerry Stiller, playing George's (?) father, becomes fixated on marketing his new invention, The "Manzier," a.k.a. "The Bro," a brassiere for men. Now comes... [read more]

Smart Car Quest Proving Dumb

by Matt Rosenberg, 03:57 PM, 62 Comments

DaimlerChrysler introduced the hugely fuel-efficient, tiny Smart car in 1998. The Seattle Times reported earlier this summer it had yet to make money for the company but a top exec felt a new Smart two-seater U.S. sales initiative planned in... [read more]

Even Joni Balter might be right every once in a great while

by Stefan Sharkansky, 12:10 PM, 22 Comments

Joni Balter is perhaps the least credible editorial writer in the region -- predictably misguided in her opinions, which are invariably argued with questionable facts and senseless logic and delivered with sneering condescension. But this week she happens to be... [read more]

Who is Deanron2?

by Stefan Sharkansky, 11:12 AM, 15 Comments

Seattle Times: "As primary nears, county still without new elections director" Sims says the debate over an elected auditor has made it difficult to hire a new director, even though he has narrowed his choice to one candidate, whose name... [read more]